Duterte eyes revival of Supply Bureau to stop corruption

Exasperated with corruption in the bureaucracy, President Duterte is considering the revival of the Marcos-era Bureau of Supply that will monitor the government’s procurement of goods and services.

The President said he wants the bureau to compare international price differences for planned government procurement to avoid large "commissions" being pocketed by crooked officials.

He noted that the Bureau of Supply was previously attached to the General Services of the Philippine Constabulary during the Marcos administration. Former President Fidel V. Ramos, whom Duterte regarded as his "favorite president," was then the head of the constabulary.

"There is always the international pricing. Kung magbili ka ng tractor, tingnan mo lang. And it’s a matter of three or four percent mg a commission commission' y an pati freight. Perokung mag-abot ng mga – ang price difference, you compare it with the international pricing and it's about 10 or 20 percent, that's corruption (If you buy a tractor, you'll just check. And it's a matter of three or four percent commission including freight. But if the price difference, you compare it with the international pricing, and it's about 10 or 20 percent, that's corruption)," Duterte said during the launch of Ramos' book at the Manila Hotel Sunday night.

"So malaman ko man, so I'm setting up that body. Nothing but tingnan lang nila 'yung mga presyo sa lahat. Start with paper clips down to bond paper, then to chains (So I will know so I'm meeting up that body. It will do nothing but check the prices of all goods. Start with paper clips down to bond papers, then to chains)," he said.

The President expressed anew his dismay with corruption in government, recalling he offered to resign during a security command conference with top military and police officials.

He admitted that he was "so exasperated" with fighting corruption after uncovering anomalous transactions in government.

"You know, at one time I was so exasperated in a command conference that I asked that if every major commanders of the – of the Armed Forces, Navy, Army… Sabi ko, 'Tumindig lang kayong apat ngayon. You stand up to signify your willingness that I will step down and I will step down,'" he said.

"I offered to step down. Sabi ko hindi ko kaya (I told them I can't do it)," he said.